Hong Kong defeat Uzbekistan to win historic AVC Women’s Challenge Cup in Thailand
- City’s volleyball team cruise to victory to cement their history-making title triumph ahead of second-placed India
- Captain Chim Wing-lam is instrumental for Hong Kong, top-scoring with 20 points
Hong Kong claimed their first ever AVC Women’s Challenge Cup by defeating Uzbekistan in straight sets on Wednesday to close out the tournament in spectacular fashion.
Hong Kong captain Chim Wing-lam sealed the victory for her side with a powerful forearm return to win the game 25-19, 25-10, 25-19 at the Nakhon Pathom Sports Centre on the outskirts of Bangkok.
The win over Uzbekistan capped a momentous week for the Hong Kong side, who dominated the six-day round-robin tournament, also posting wins over Singapore, Malaysia and India.
Against Uzbekistan, who had outclassed Singapore in straight sets the previous day, the Hong Kong team started nervously, allowing their fast-improving opponents to attack and move into a 16-13 lead.
Hong Kong, however, clawed their way back, with Chim, Pang Wing-lam and the towering Yeung Sau-mei tearing the opposing defence apart with their sharp blows to level the scores at 18-18. They never looked back.
Allowing Uzbekistan just one more point, Hong Kong wrapped up the set 25-19. Yeung, using her height advantage to attack devastatingly at the net, was to the fore in winning the last three points of the set.
Outside hitter Pang was again instrumental, helping to shut down a potent Uzbekistan – something that Chim said the team had prepared for in their pregame strategy.